somethingarosie's reviews
449 reviews

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

4.0

Delving into dark and complex themes of abuse, manipulation and generational trauma, Strange Sally Diamond is unpredictable at every turn. With elements of mystery, suspense and psychological intrigue, this book is one you will be unable to put down, even when it churns your stomach.

Sally Diamond’s story is one of sadness, hope, and heartache. The depravity of some of the characters within this is quite astonishing. There is little I can say without giving major spoilers, but be prepared to spend the entire book filled with anticipation and dread. 

The dual POVs and timelines add to the adrenaline and whirlwind of emotions that one experiences when reading this book. The reader often knows more than the characters, meaning the reader is on tender hooks constantly.

Where this book loses a star is in its ending. Everything ties together very neatly, with little ambiguity - which I don’t think fits with the sense of unease that permeates the rest of the book. Similarly, the epilogue, while allowing the book to end on somewhat of a hopeful note and symbolises the breaking of cyclical generation trauma, felt like an abrupt change in mood, from the suffocating feeling of despair that is palpable throughout the rest of the novel. The transition between the hopeless ending and optimistic epilogue could have been more developed, to dissuade the feeling of whip-lash while reading.  

Nonetheless, highly recommend!
Thank you Penguin Ireland for sending me a proof copy to read!

4⭐️

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

2.0

You know, I gotta be honest here, this book, 'The Catcher in the Rye,' it didn't really do it for me. I mean, Holden, he's just so darn irritating most of the time. Yeah, sure, there were moments when I kinda felt for the guy, but overall, he's just too much to handle. I get it, the whole point is he's supposed to be this insufferable teenager who doesn’t want to study and it's like... boohoo, you don’t wanna study, get over it! But, hey, I do feel for him, 'cause there's nods to him dealing with the grief of losing his brother, but his arrogance distracts from what could have been a much more profound book. And if I hear the word 'phony' one more time, I swear, I'm gonna explode. It's like, I wanted to give Holden a shake and tell him to snap out of it, ya know? But hey, that's just me. Some folks dig it, but for me, it was just a big ol' snooze fest. Couldn't catch me in that rye if you paid me.

The Outrage by William Hussey

5.0

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

4.0

Mit Unterstützung von Pullman und Morpurgo sowie Vergleichen mit Tolkien, erwartete ich große Dinge. Vielleicht waren meine Erwartungen unerfüllbar hoch, ich war immer enttäuscht zu sein. 

Dieses Buch war sehr gut. Ich habe damit kein Problem. Aber, Pullman und Tolkien sind Meister ihres Handwerks. Rundell ist kein Pullman oder Tolkien. Der Vergleich ist unfair.

Alles in allem war dieses Buch ein großer Ausbruch. Es ist gefühlvoll und die Freundschaften zwischen den Figuren sind schön. Impossible Creatures ist ein sehr gutes Kinderbuch. Die Sprache ist einfach zu verstehen und nicht kompliziert. Es ist nicht kindisch, aber die Einfachheit hat mich manchmal aus der Geschichte herausgeholt. Aber, dieses ist ein vier Sterzen Buch. Warum? Es hat mir viel Spaß gemacht. Es ist humorvoll und manchmal traurig. Es gibt viel Stress und Vorfreude. Es ist Fantastisch, mit viele Weltenaufbau und fantastische Kreaturen. Ich habe die Aspekt des Sprechen mit Tieren besonders Interessant gefunden. Mans Verhältnis mit Tieren ist sehr besonders.

Vielleicht bin ich ein sehr strenger Kritiker. Aber, wenn man dich  mit Pullman vergleicht, dann werde ich hohe Erwartungen haben!

4💫

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

4.0

This book takes us on a meditative journey exploring the value of happiness over conventional success. Sloan beautifully illustrates how pursuing one's passions, like baking sourdough bread, can lead to a more fulfilling life.

 I enjoyed delving into the unique cultures of the characters, but the plot took an unexpected turn towards the end with the starter nearly being stolen, which felt somewhat disconnected from the overall contemplative tone of the book. I enjoyed the slow-paced, introspectiveness of the book, which was momentarily lost here.

Nonetheless, 'Sourdough' reminds us of the importance of choosing happiness and finding balance between ambition and contentment.

4⭐️

 A thought-provoking read that blends elements of technology, food & magical realism! 🍞📚

The White Album by Joan Didion

3.0

I really wanted to love this, but unfortunately ~middling~ is the word.

There are so many great sentences and quotes in this collection of essays, but it lost me in parts.

 Didion tends to jump around a lot, as a result the essays can be difficult to follow. She goes off on tangents, into minute detail about specific events or people…and I just lost interest, on more than one occasion. Perhaps this is as much a reflection of me as it is the book.

I was born in 1999 in Ireland; American life in the 60’s and 70’s is not something I am hugely familiar with, naturally. I expected to learn more about this time period from The White Album, I was looking forward to it!

My main issue with the book is that Didion just sort of…plops you in the middle of situations, people and events of that time, without much context or explaining who they were; hence my regular confusion. I ended up having to google who’s-who quite a bit. This coupled with her random deviations in significant detail….I was bamboozled. I found the parts I did understand very interesting, though. Especially the Sharon Tate passage; she is my Roman Empire.  Having prior knowledge about her helped me appreciate and understanding Didion’s portrayal.

It’s a shame, I really wanted to love this. If I were a bit more clued into certain cultural moments in America during the time, perhaps this would have been more my style. I looked forward to learning more about the 60’s & 70’s, I was not prepared for the fact I would need to approach the book with a certain level of knowledge already in my repertoire.

All that said, there were parts I found really interesting. Here are some of the essays I enjoyed:

• The White Album (yes, the collection starts out well)
• The Women’s Movement
• Doris Lessing 
• Georgia O’ Keeffe

Perhaps The White Album is a body of work I will grasp more comprehensible if I were to reread it. Though, I’m not sure I’d go to the bother.

3💫

Dearest Intimate by Suchen Christine Lim

5.0

This book combines the horrific with the beautiful. The writing is poetic and wonderfully descriptive in parts, yet portraying scenes of grave violence and neglect while doing so. 

Dearest Intimate is a complex and intricate story. Each character and perspective are artfully crafted and connected. No storyline is left with a non-conclusion. It’s masterful storytelling. With multiple POVs and timelines, Lim vividly portrays Singaporean history and Cantonese culture. One of the POVs is an epistolary narrative too, which is an interesting way to introduce another POV and change timelines. 

 

This book was not on my radar at all. I am so grateful to have discovered it; it is astounding! I have not read much about Asian history or culture. I love Japanese translated fiction because it seems to spotlight books about cats (which I love) and its execution of magical realism feels ethereal, but beyond that, my reading habits are incredibly westernised. This book landed on my lap through Tandem Collective and it may be one of my favourite books of all time.

Set against the backdrop of Singapore’s rich cultural tapestry, the narrative weaves together themes of love, betrayal, and the search for identity. Through the lives of her characters, she explores the complexities of family relationships, societal expectations, and the challenges of navigating one’s place in a rapidly changing world.

Brilliant, 5⭐️

|AD-PR product; thank you Tandem Collective for having me on this readalong 💫

TW: Child loss, Stillbirth, Rape (on page), Sexual assault, Ableist language, Suicide (mentioned)

The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe

3.0

Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Black Cat’ serves as a haunting introduction to the author’s macabre world. In this short story, Poe weaves a tale of psychological horror that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

For those new to Poe’s works, ‘The Black Cat’ provides a compelling entry point, showcasing the author’s mastery of suspense and his ability to delve into the darkest corners of the human psyche. The story follows the descent of an unnamed narrator into madness, driven by his own vices and the ominous presence of a black cat.

While the brevity of the story is characteristic of the short story genre, it leaves readers yearning for more. In this instance, not quite satisfied. With just a few more pages, Poe could have deepened the atmosphere and intensified the sense of dread, making the experience even more spine-tinglingly spooky.

All that being said, ‘The Black Cat’ leaves a lasting impression, serving as a tantalising glimpse into Poe’s twisted imagination.

Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden

4.0

An unexpected cat book! 

‘Are You Listening?’ is a mesmerising graphic novel that intricately weaves together themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of unexpected connections. As a lover of books featuring feline companions, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a cat in this tale, adding an extra layer of charm and warmth to the narrative.

The story follows two young women, brought together by chance, whose initial annoyance of one another gradually evolves into a profound bond as they embark on a journey through the vast landscapes of the American Southwest. Walden skillfully portrays the complexities of their relationship, capturing the nuances of their interactions and the gradual transformation of their connection.

The illustrations beautifully capture the essence of the characters and their surroundings, immersing readers in a world filled with both beauty and melancholy.

Throughout the narrative, Walden explores themes of identity, trauma, and the search for meaning, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery. The novel's poignant exploration of human emotions and experiences is enhanced by the presence of the enigmatic cat, whose silent companionship serves as a powerful metaphor for the connections that transcend language and understanding.

4💫

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard by Tom Felton

5.0

Memoiren können in zwei Richtungen gehen, und ich habe ein paar gelesen, die mich enttäuscht haben.  Also war ich wohl ein wenig skeptisch, als ich begann, dieses Buch zu lesen. Für eine Memoire, dieses Buch ist erfrischend ehrlich und ernsthaft. Im Vergleich zu anderen Promi-Memoiren ist dieses sehr selbstbewusst und introspektiv.  Ich war angenehm überrascht, wie sehr mir das gefallen hat. 

Außerdem finde ich das Konzept den ,Kinderstars’ und dis psychologischen Auswirkungen faszinierend. 

Auch der Einfluss, den die Rolle des Antagonisten auf den Schauspieler hatte, und der Hass, den Tom erhielt. Wir lernen über Leben als ein junger Schauspieler in Hollywood und der Druck des Rampenlichts.

Meine Lieblingsteile:

1. Wo Tom über Emma Watson spricht….Ich war beinahe Tränen. Es war sehr süß und schön. Wo er spricht über Daniel und Rupert auch. Über alle Leute, wirklich.
2. Alan Rickman und sein verdammter Umhang. Es ist sehr sehr lustig; ich habe gelacht.

Dieses Buch macht viel Spaß. Vielleicht eines der besten Memoiren, die ich gelesen habe. Fantastisch. Ich wünsche, ich hätte es früher gelesen.

5⭐️